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Friedrich vs TCL: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Friedrich model beats 39% and a typical TCL model 49%. TCL rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Friedrich

39%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

188 models listed

TCL

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

177 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FFriedrich: Beats 46%TCL: Beats 36%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FFriedrich: Beats 36%TCL: Beats 50%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Friedrich: Beats 31%TCL: Beats 52%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Friedrich: Beats 34%TCL: Beats 59%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Friedrich: Beats 37%TCL: Beats 41%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    Friedrich
    27%
    TCL
    76%

  • Xcel CC

    Friedrich
    21%
    TCL
    72%

  • CEE Advanced

    Friedrich
    1%
    TCL
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Friedrich
    22%
    TCL
    64%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Friedrich

  1. 1FPHSR09A3Bwith ductless indoor unit FAHFW09A3AFriedrichAlso listed as FPHSR09A3D1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 82.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.09 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    11.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.7 (EER2)
    Great
    83.9score / 100Heating 82 · Cooling 85
  2. 2FPHSR09A1Bwith ductless indoor unit FAHSW09A1AFriedrich1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 63.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    97% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    14.1 (EER2)
    Great
    70.7score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 78
  3. 3FPHSR09A1Cwith ductless indoor unit FAHSW09A1CFriedrich1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 63.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    97% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    14.1 (EER2)
    Great
    70.6score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 78

TCL

  1. 1TMH18HEI2NAS0U25TCLAlso listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U251.5 tons · 20,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 70.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    99% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    27.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    15.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    82.6score / 100Heating 71 · Cooling 94
  2. 2TSH09HEI2NAP0T24Uwith ductless indoor unit TSH09IEI2NAO0T24UTCL1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 63.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    106% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.5 (EER2)
    Great
    76.2score / 100Heating 64 · Cooling 89
  3. 3H09SUH25XGCwith ductless indoor unit H09SUH25XGETCL1 ton · 9,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 62.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    25.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    14.5 (EER2)
    Great
    75.4score / 100Heating 62 · Cooling 89

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

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